QUILCENE — Incumbent Paul Mahan maintained his lead over challenger Ronald Leon Jones after Wednesday’s second ballot count for the Position 5 seat on the Quilcene School Board.
Mahan had earned 57.88 percent (290 votes) and Jones received 41.52 percent (208 votes).
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Jefferson County Auditor’s Office still had an estimated 2,460 ballots left to be counted countywide, with the next count to be announced at 4 p.m. today.
Mahan is the owner of Mahan Log & Lumber. Jones is a U.S. Navy veteran and works as a business analyst for a government contractor.
The Position 5 seat is an at-large position on the Quilcene School Board. Mahan has held the position since 2016, and he is currently serving as the vice chair of the board, according to the district’s website.
Mahan said he’s glad to be serving another term.
“It looks like enough votes have been counted that I have won the election,” he said. “I think that’s great. I look forward to representing the community members for another four years.”
Jones offered congratulations to Mahan and said that, while this was his first time running for an office, it most likely won’t be his last.
“I’m very happy to live where we live where anyone can participate in the political process who’s interested in doing so,” Jones said.
“I’m a parent and I have grandchildren, and I’ll be involved with the Quilcene school for a very long time.
“This was my first attempt at a political position, and I really enjoyed the process, so I don’t think it will be the last.”
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
